Feed valve for air brakes



Nov. 18, 1930. c. A. CAMPBELL 'FEED VALVE FOR AIR BRAKES Filed Sept. 24, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l l-Il..

Nov. 18,1930. c. A. CAMPBELL 1,781,747

FEED VALVE FOR AIR BRAKES Filed sept. 24, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 Il ff.

45 drawings.

Patented, Nov. 18, 1930 .uNlTEnl- STATES" vCHARLES A.

gP.lfriazra'r OFFICE cAMPBEnr.. or' WATnR'roWN, NEW Yoan, Aseierrea To THE NEW Yomi FAInBRAKncoMrANYV, A VcoRroRAirien or naw JERSEY. l'

i l FEED `,VALVE FOR AIR BRAKES Applicationfledseptember 24.1927. Serial:No..t22\1,810.y

Thisinvention' relates to air `brakesand particularly tothe feed valve which, under the control of the engineersfbrake valve, maintains the brake pipe pressure' when the engineers brake valve is in running position.

One ofthe most important ,objects of the invention is soto connect. thefeed valve with the engineers-brake valve andthe brake pipe thatay close regulatingaction is secured at all times.v t t l `VOther details of invention reside in fea:-l tures of construction and mounting of the valve whichcontributeto ease of construc-v tion and certainty ofjaction and facilitate l thedismounting of various units when necessary, without requiringv dismountingof related units.

The preferred embodiment of theinven-V tion is illustrated in they accompanying dwraw-v .20 ings, in whichy Fig. 1 is a'diagraminatic vertical axial `section of a Standard model Lv brake valve with` the improved feed valve attached. kThe brake valve is shown in running position. y Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammaticview illustrating 'a portion of the engineers brake valve, but showing the rotary valve in the release position. v j

Fig. 3l is a vertical axial section of thefeed valve shown in Fig. Albut on alarger scale.

Fig, 4 isa detail fragmentarys'e'ction show.- ing the attaching lugs formounting the feed valveoii the engineers brake Valve. von a reduced scale.) y f In Figs. 3 and 4 theV main portsofthefeed valve are shown as actually 'constructed,"i. e.

in kdifferent vertical planes.'

In Figs.' 1 and 2 the ports .and passagesiare conventionally showny las all in onefplaneto facilitate explanation, but other arrangements may be, and ordinarily will be, adopted. n Referring'rstto F ig.U 3, body 6 ofthe feed valve is cast in one piece and its general form can best `ber understood 'relatively tothe spider.

lgages the cylinder-bushing 13 while a gasket f @im byv reference to the VMounted in the body 6 is a spider 7 which has a central hubl portion 8 terminating at its lower-,pend in a sleeve 9 which makes a sliding it with aportion ofthebody 6. Above .the sleeve9 is a flange 10. This seats on a gasket 11 which restson a shoulder formed in the vbody 6 to receive'A it. 'At its upper. end :the

spider L'is Yformed with an annular shoulder` 12 lwhich positions, the cylinder bushing 13- The cylinder bushing 13 makesga` slidingit within the body 6 and is. clamped in place 'by a headV or cover plate'14. The head 14 is'provided with a centering ange 15 which en- 16 'serves to produce a tight joint between the head 14 on the one hand andthe body6 and bushingl on theother. The pressure transmitted through the bushing 13 and spider 7 is exerted on the gasket 11-, thus producing a` tight seal betweenl the Harige 10 and the body 6. Y

The hub 8 is counterbored to receive bushing 17 preferably of brass, and in this bushing slides the stemV 18 of the main feed valve 19.` Above bushing 17 stem18 is reduced in diameter andis guided byY ajportion of spider 7. Y `This reduction of diameter serves further to .check leakage. y

The feed valve19 has an annular-seating surface V21,.of soft metal, suchv as Babbitt metal, and this coacts with a seat-20 formed on theA uppervend of removable seat vbushing 22. Bushing22' isl retained ,by projecting `spaced'lugs28 on threaded plug 2 3. Valve'19` andls'eat V2() control a connecting passage between the inlet passage' 24 and the discharge passage 25 formed in body 6. f The member 215 t has a flange 26 which makes -a seal with the outer wall of the` body 6.x,wliile a gasket, 27 produces a tight seal between the' member 22 and that portion of the body 6jwliich intervenes between the pas-` sages 24 and 25. The construction issuch I g that*r the members 22 land 23 fand the valve 9o 72 and "73 are VVin the form of split collars v clamped by 'screws yand they may beso 'set by Avnected bya passage 74 with a threaded opening 75. A A plug 29-is vtlnfeaded'into rbody 6 and has a portion extending through passage 74 but Lnot obstructing such passage. It makes a `tight jointvwithbody 6 by means of a fia-ngeand by meansofgasketBO. yMounted 'lug 85 is provided.y

in a recess in lt-heend o'fplug 29 isa ball check `valve 50'urged closed by spring'59 whose tension is adjusted vby nut-60. The check '50 per` Amits flow from passage 74 to discharge port 25 'by way of choke 70 and ports 76 but closes against 'backlow i' f Turning now to Fig. 4, it will vbeobserved that the body 6 is formed with a pair of'llu'gs 77 and 7 8,by nieansfof which'the feed'valve may be connected to ethe pipe-bracket portion 79 of an'engineer-s brake valve (see Fig. Inasmuch, however, as certain types. of feed Vvalves `now in common use require very'long studs,`the body 6 is'formed with a second pair of lugs'81-and 82 having-openings' alined with y the openings in the lugs 77 and7 8. rThus it 'is immaterialwhether the pipebracket'of the enffineers brake valve is provided V'Withlong or short studs. If the studs areshort the lugs' 77 and 78 are used. If the studsare long they `merelygproject through-the 'lugs -77 and 78, then through the lugs 81-y and' 82 and are clamped `lay-nuts seatingon. lugs 81 and `l'.82 (see F ig."4)r. This .construction yavoidsithe necessity of interchanging s tuds'whensubstituting this typeof Afeed valve for either of two others; To preclude' the mounting ofthe feed valve in inverted position. a. positioning 'Thestructure just `described hasa number of practical 'advantages from the standpoint of manufacture and assembly. Both valve seats may be withdrawn withoutdismounting other mechanism'. When thel member 46 is r"withdrawn the diaphragm-.is sustained against excessive flexure.' 'The 'piston' and cylinder.A .bushingymay 'be readily removed and replaced without:disturbingother Ipartsr of the mechanism. It is feasible to make the cylinder bushing 13 ofbrass and thespider 7 ofv cast iron, yor other inexpensive material.

. 'Allvent' ports are lso located asiito drain `moist-ure from the. device, vand `finally. eachv part is readilyaccessible.

The feed valve `above described is avlailf i able for genral use with engineers brale fvalves'of different types, :but in' orderftogex-` plain its operationitwi'll `be. describedas ap :brake pipe 102.

plied toa standard model Lengi'neers brake, havingreference to Figs. 1'and12. f Mountedon'thepipebracket portion 79 yof the brakey valve 'is the equalizing piston porvtion 86 Vupon* :which is `mounted vthe `rotary valve seat portion 87 vas viswe'll understood. pon the portion '87risrafcap 88 which guides '-the's'tem89 and handle 91. 'The usualrota'ry valve controlled by the handle 91 isA shown at 92 andhasthe usual ports and recesses coact.- ingl with the ports and recessesin the seat portion 87.v The main `reservoirfpipe.93 is connected tothe portion? 9 and `leads to apassage 94 which communicateo'v-ith thersupply passage 24 of theffeed valve.V It also leads to the space v95 above the rotary. valve. The discharge passage 25 ofthe feedrvalve leads to a passagel96 which terminates in a .port in the seat of the rotary valve,and `which'in krunning position, Fig. 1, is connected by cav-f` Y ity 97 lwithrv a. ypassage 98 leading to the space above the'equalizing piston 99 and with a pas:

sage '101 leading to the brake, pipe 102.v Pas? 'sage "101 is connected bya short passagey 103 with thefspace below vequalizing piston .99. j.

'The'brake pipe '102 is connected by a branch lor control pipe104'with 'a` threaded connection 7,5 and'consequently "with" the passage74 y in the feed valve.

'the-engineers brake valvey except inthose details "which are related to the operation of` "low `the value determined by theY adjustment of the spring64 the diaphragm 54 is forced upward and seals against-the seat 53. It

, voir Vpressure to flow'by'way of pipe 93," pas- Vsages`94 and 24, through valvey seat 22-to pas sage' 25.` As explained this communicates with passage 96 which i'sconnected byfcavity 97; to passage 101 and consequently-with the i f As brake pipe vpressure vbuilds upit will approach the valuefor which spring 64i`s set "andwhen'this occurs da? 'phragm 54 will move away from seat 531and 4/brake'pipe air will'owbyway' of choke 55 to the space aboveL the :piston 36. Since rthe capacity of the choke 55 isgreater than that It is unnecessary to discuss the action of "In running positiomshown in Fig. 1, brake Apipe pressure communicatesby Way of pipe ff F104 vand passage' 74 4with-"theispace above the diaphragm 54 and when :this pressure is beizo of the choke 40, this flow will occur suiicientcured. By locating the choke 55 close to the v 193 will` close;

valve seat, vquicker action,` is secured,Y but a similar effect is had if the choke be located at other points in the passage L15. The action maybe such asito cause the valve` 19 to `close and open at shortntervals, but the tendency is to-approaeh an adjustment of; the valve 19 which will feed air tothe brake. pipe at a gradually reducedor tapering rate, with final closing of the valve 19 when the proper brake `pipe pressure has been established.

.t When theengineers brake valve is moved torelease `position `(see li`ig..2) main reservoir air ioWs from the space 95 by way of port 105 and the rotary valve 92 and port 98 to'fthe space above the equalizing piston 99. At thesame time air will flow by wayofthe port 106 and port :101 tothe brake pipe 102. The effect is to Hood the brake pipe, that is, to raise itspressure, above the value determinedby the setting of spring 64. It follows that in avery short time the diaphragm 54 will move downward andthe `feed-valve Until this occurs the main-reservoirair will flow by wayfof ports 24 25,96 andcavity 107 in `the rotary valve 92, to the Warning port108." After the feed valve 19 closes discharge through the warning port will be continued by brake pipe air {iowing through control-pipe 104, choke 70, passage 25,and ports 96, 107, 108. This is an imporftant feature and is the kprincipal object in using the choke port 70. If the choke port 70 were not` used the warning port `would not function throughout the. time that the engineers brake valve remains in full release position.` ,The `choke port `70 supplies air from the brakepipe tolperform ythe warning function even when the feed valveis closed.

` Check valve prevents baclr flow of main reservoir airthrough choke to the brake pipe. `In servicereductions, if the brake pipe vleakage vis small, such flow would be sufficient occasionally to cause undesired release.

It is obvious that the invention may be embodied-in various specifically different forms and no limitation to the specific structure illnstratedis implied. y A; Y

Wha-t is claimed is,-

' lpThecombination of aniain reservoir pipe; a brake pipe; an-engineersbrake valveV ,adjustable/.to perform the ordinary release `and runningffunctions and including a feed valveedischarge passage anda warning port whicliare connected in release position, anda brake pipe port which is connected with the feed valve .dischargejport in running position; a feed valve having a regulating diaphragm which controls its action, said valve -tween the brake pipe and said diaphragm and a bleed connectio-n from the last named connection t0 said feed valve discharge passage. Y

2. The combination of a main reservoir pipe; a brake pipe; an engineers brake valve adjustable to performl the ordinary release and running functions andincluding a feed valve discharge passage and a warning portwhich ai'e connected in release' position, and a brake pipe port which is connected Vwith the feed valvedischarge port in running position; a feed valve having a regulating diaphragm which controls its action, said valve being connected with the engineers brake valve in such manner as to feed air with reduction of pressure from the main reservoir pipe to said feed valve discharge port;a direct pressure transmitting connection betwe'enthe brake pipe and said diaphragm; ableed connection from vthe last named connection to said feed valve discharge passage; and a check valve in said bleed connection arranged to permit flow in the direction indicated and to lpreclude back flow. y l i 3. The combination of aniain resei'voir pipe; a brake pipe; an engineers brake valve valve including a'feed valve discharge port and a warning port which are connected in release position, and a bralrepipe port which is connected with said feed valve discharge port in running po-sition;a feed valve controlling thepassage of air from the main reservoir to the feed valve discharge passage; a pressure motor for actuating said feed valve; a pressure actuated diaphragm; an annular valve seat with which said diaphragm coacts as a 'valve to control the operation of said pressure motor; a direct pressure transmitting connection. between said diaphragm and thebrakepipe; and a bleed port from the last named connection to said feed valve discharge passage.

Zl. The combination of av main reservoir pipe; a brake pipe ;an engineers-brake valve adjustable to perform the ordinary release and running functions, said engineers brake valve including a feed valve discharge port and a warningport which are connected in release position, and a brake pipe port which isconnected with said-feed valve discharge 'port `in running position; `a feed valve concoacts asa valve to controlthe operation of said pressure motor; a direct pressure transmitting connection between said diaphragi and the brake pipe; a bleed port from the last named connection to said feed valve discharge passage; and :a checkV valve .in said 11:.

bleed connection arranged to kpermit flow in the direction indicated and to preclude back y flow.

5. In a pressure regulating feed valv`ethe in Wliichsaid piston Works; a spider in supporting relationl to said cylinder bushing and having a hubportion seated in a recess iny said body,r saidA spider serving to guide said piston rod; means supported bysaid hub porv tion for guiding said'fvalverstemand resisting leakage along lthe same releasable means for locking said bushing and spider in place;

' a seat for said valve; and pressure` actuated mean'sfor controlling theaction of said pis;`

ton.' 6. In a pressure regulating feed valvedthe combination of a casing. or body; a valve having astem a piston having apiston rod in thrust relation Withthe stem of said valve for actuating the valve; a cylinder bushing 25, in which said piston'vvorks; a spider in supporting relation to said cylinder` bushing and hav-ing aliub portion seated in a recess nin` said body; means supported by said hub poi`v tion for guiding said valve stem and piston rod and for resisting leakage along the "valve stem; releasable means for locking said bushing andspider in place; a removable, seat for said valve; a member removably mountedin said vbody and serving 13o-retain saidseat in osition'A vand ressure aotuatedf'means for;

controlling the action-of said'. piston.

7. In apressure-regnlating feed valve, the

combination of a casing or body; a valve have ing a stem; a piston havinga piston yrod yin thrust relation Withv the 'stem of said"y valve diaphragm; mea-ns rfor yieldingly loading fsaid dipahragni ;`a removable valve seat With forl actuatingtheI valve.;v a cylinder bushing in Which said pistonvvorks; av spider insupporting relation to said cylinder bushing'and having a hub portion seated ina recess in said body.; means'supported by saidhub portion for guiding said valve stem andpistonirod and lfor lresisting leakage along 'thevalve ste1ii;,releasable means L'for `locking said bush# Y g ing. and'spider in place; avremovable seat for Vsaid* valve; a member removably mountednin said body and serving toretain said seat iny place,s`aid seat and member being so di-men,y sioned as to permitwithdrawal of said valve z upon the removal of said 4member and seat; and pressure actuated means for controllingn the action of said piston.

8. The combination of a hollow, bo-dyhav? 'ing openings at opposite sides thereof; a motor unitremovable Athrough one side and including a' piston With-rod', a cylinder busli-` ing; and a spider in centering' and thrust engagement With the bushing and body and having a guide for a valve stem; a valve unit removable through the other side of the body and: including a. .valve seat and valve," said."V

valve havingfa: stemin telescoping 'thrustv relation Withsaid piston rod; means. for sealing the openings andy retaining said unitsV in t place; and pressure actuated means for con-f j trolling the action of said piston.

9. lhecombination `of a hollow body hav-y ing openings at opposite sides thereof;a motor iunit removablethrough one side and including a piston With .a rod, ja cylinderV bushing,I and afspider in centering and thrust engagement.with thebushing and' body and having a guide forv a' valve stem ;a valve unit removable through the other side of the body and including ak valve 'seat- ,and valve, said valve having a stemv capable of entering into thrust engagement with said piston rod;

means forguiding said piston rod;` means t for sealing :theopenings and retaining saidV units inplace; and pressure actuated means for vcontrollingthe action of said piston.

l0. The combination of 4ahollovv body havmotor unit removable through one side and including a piston with rod; a 'cylinder bushing, and aspider-f in centeringvand Vthrust i engagement Witlithe.bushing'and body and e' havingl a. guide fora valve stem a valve unit removable through the other side of the body and includinoiA a ,valve Aseat and valve; said valve rhavingl astem guided in the valve Yguide of saidspiderand in telescopic thrust relation Withsaidipiston rod means for stemk and'pistonrod.

11. In afeedv'alve, the combination of aY which said diaphragm coacts asa valve; and

stops located beyond the range. of motion rpermitted the diaphragm by the valve seat 'and serving to preventhexcessvmotio'n of theV diaphragmzivhen fthe valve seat is remove.d. Y 12:1.The combination Aof a feed valve; af 'cylinder`;',a piston .therein1 for actuating the feed valve,l there being a choke port-forslovv-V ly venting from the oylinderpressure fluid ing openings at oppositesides thereof; aY

acting on the piston; a narrow annular valve` seat.*controllingl a passage leading to said y cylinder, there being a choke port rinterposed in said, passage closely adjacent'said seat, fandliaving a1 capacity in excess of that of the first Achoke port; adiaphragm coacting asa valve with said 'annular valve seat; means for loading said diaphragm; andvr means for subjecting said *diaphragm to the pressure of `fluid Vdischarged throughsaid feed valve.

18. The combination ofra feed valve; a

cylinder; 'afpiston therein for actuating the feed valve, there being anchoke port for slovv ly ventingfrom thecylinder pressure huid Y actingnonthe pistonfa narrow annular valve seat kcontrolling 'a `.passage leading .to said cylinder; there-being' a choke port interposed in said passage closely adjacentgsaid seat,'and. Shaving a capacity in excess'of'th'a't of the lirst choke port; a diaphragmcoactingas a valve with'said annular valve seat; means for load-v ing" said diaphragmjand Vmeans including a choke port for vforming va restricted pressure 'fluid conveying connection4 between said diaphragin'and the discharge side of said feedY valve.V j I 14. v"Thecombination of a feed valve; a

cylinder; a piston therein Vfor actuating the feed valve, therebeinga choke port for slowly ventingfrom the cylinder l'oressurewfluidV acting on the piston; a narrowannular valve sea-t controlling a 4passage leading to said cylinder, there beingachoke port interposed in said passage,fandfh`aving` a capacity in excess of that of thefirst choke port; Va dia-` phragm coac'tingv as a 4valve -with said annular valve seat; means 'for loading said'diaphragm; and means including a choke `port and check valve for forming a one-way restricted flow connection from said diaphragm chamber `to the discharge side ofsaidfeed valve. 15. In a feed valve, the combination of a hollow body having an open side; a spider having a hub in centering and thrust engagement with said body; said spider including ap'ortion'which serves as abeille across the interior of the'body; Va cylinder bushingV in centering engagement with the body and in centering and thrust engagement with the spider, said bushing bengadjacent the open side of said body; Va closure for the'open side of said body entering into centering and thrust engagement with said bushing; a piston slidable in said bushing and having a stem; and a valve having a stein guided 1n said hub and in telescopic thrust engagement with said piston stem. Y.

16. In a feed valve;` the combination of a l hollow'body having an openside; a spider Vhaving a hub in centering and thrust engagement with vsaid'body, said spider including `aportion which serves as afbaflleV across the interior of the body; a cylinder .bushing in centering'engagement with the body and in centering and thrustengagement with the spider, said bushing being adjacent'the open side of said body; a closure for the open side of lsaid body entering into centering and thrust engagement with said bushing; a piston slidable iny said bushing and having a stem; means for guidingsaid stern; and a valve having a stem guided in said hub in thrust engagement with said piston'stem.

17. The combination with a feed valve body, of two pairs of attaching lugs spaced apart 4'to afford an interval between theV lugs,

. said vlugs beingformed in pairs with alined openings, whereby thefeed valvevimay be Vmounted 'by use of short studswhich pass through one air of luUs or lonO studs which 'is i: 7 i: y pass through both pairs of lugs. A

18.-;The combination of a main-,reservoir pipe; abrake pipe; `a feed valve supplied by the mainreservoir pipe; an' engineers valve having a warning port 4and adapted in running position `to connect the feed valve to feed the brake pipe and in release position to connect the main reservoir directly with the brake pipe, and the yfeed valve with the warning poi-t; and aV by-pass connection from the brake pipeto the discharge side of' the feed valve wherebyV ai warning flow occurs even when the feed valve closes.

19. The combination of a main reservoir pipe; a brake pipe; alfeed valve suppplied by the main reservoir pipe; l an engineer7s valve having awarning port and adapted in running position to connect the feed valve to Vfeedthebralre pipeandfin release position to connect the inain reservoir directlyf with the brake pipe, and the feed valve with the warning port; a by-pass connection from the'brake pipe to the discharge side of the feed valve whereby a Warning flow 'occurs even When the feed valve closes; and a check valve for preventing'l reverse flow through the last named connection.

20'. `The combination of `a valve body; a

valve therein having a tubular' stem; an`

elongated tubular guide for the stem; acylinder; a piston therein; a rod connected with they pistonand extending `within said stem and substantially through the entire length of the guide into thrust relation with the valve; and pressure responsive means for varying the 'effective pressure on said piston. 21.-' Ina device of the class described, the.

combination of a` valve body; a valve therein having a tubular stem; an elongated tubular VguideA for the stem; and an actuating rod 'for said valve extending Within said stem and substantially vthrough the entire ,length of the guide into thrust relation With theivalve.- i 2 2;A The combination of a ing openings at opposite sides thereof; a motorfunit removable through onefside andV vin thrust relation with said piston rod and in position to coact with said seat, said valve being so dimensioned relatively to said spider and seat thatit may be withdrawn from said body upon the removal of either unit. i

23. The combination of ahollow body hav- Ving openings` at opposite sides thereof; a

hollowibody havi motor unit removable through one side and including a piston with rod,a cylinder bushing, and a spider in centering and thrustrengagement with the bushing and bodyV and having a guide for the valve stem; a unit removable through the other side of the body and including a valve seat; means for sealingk saidl openingsk and retaining said Vunits in place; and a valve'guided in said guide in. thrust relation with said piston rod and in* position to coact with said seat, said valve L being removable from said body upon the withdrawal of said motor unit.

24. The combination of a hollow body having openings at opposite sides thereof; a motor unit removable through one side and including a piston with rod, a cylinder bushy ing, and a spider in centering andL thrust engagement with 'the bushing and bodyA and having a valve stem guide through substantially4 the entire length of which said piston rod projects; a unit removable through the other side of the bodyand including a valve seat; means for sealing the openings and retaining said units in place; a valve having a tubular stem guided in said guide and in telescoping thrust engagement with said piston` rod; 'and automatic means for controlling the action of said piston.y

25. In a feed valve, the combination of a housing; a diaphragm mounted in said hous-V ing; means for yieldingly loading said diaphragm; a. ported valve seat removable from said housing; means coacting with said valve seat and rendered eiiective by the fleXure ofr ly venting from the cylinder pressure fluidy acting on the piston; a narrow annular valve seat controlling a restricted passage leading to said cylinder, said passage having a capacing; a piston slidable in said bushing and having a rod which extends through substan-v tially the entire length of theL valve stem guide in said spider; and a valve having a tubular stem guided in saidguide and in telescopic thrust engagement with said piston rod.

In testimony whereof I have signed Vmy name to this specification. f e

i CHARLES A. CAMPBELL.

ity in excess of that of4 said choke port; a v

diaphragm coacting as'avalve with said an nular valve seat; means for loading said diaphragm; and -m'eans for subjecting said diaphragni to the pressure of fluid discharged through said feed valve.

27. In a feed valve, the combination of a hollow body havingan open side; a spider having a hub in centering and thrust engagement with said body, said hub being provided with an elongated guide for 4a valve stem; a cylinder bushing in centering engagement with the body and in centering and thrust engagement with the spider, said bushing being adjacent the open side of said body 5 a closure for the open side of said body entering into thrust engagement with said bush- 

